Dissociating Agents for Lithium Fluoride Solubility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current lithium battery electrolytes face limitations in ionic conductivity and solubility of lithium salts, particularly lithium fluoride, which restricts their performance in terms of energy density and power output.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of dissociating agents such as Lewis acids, Lewis bases, anion receptors, and cation receptors into lithium battery electrolytes to enhance the solubility and stability of lithium salts, particularly lithium fluoride, by participating in chemical reactions that increase the dissolution of inorganic fluorides in solvents, thereby improving ionic conductivity and electrochemical performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional lithium battery electrolytes are used, then the battery can operate with standard energy density, but the ionic conductivity and solubility of lithium salts are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolubility of lithium saltsVSAvoidionic conductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a mediator substance (lithium halide additive) that facilitates the dissolution of lithium salts in the electrolyte. The mediator forms intermediate complexes that enhance the solubility of lithium salts, thereby increasing the concentration of lithium ions available for conduction without compromising the stability of the electrolyte system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the electrolyte by adding specific lithium halide compounds (such as LiCl, LiBr, or LiI) at controlled concentrations. This parameter change alters the solubility characteristics of the electrolyte system, enabling higher dissolution of lithium salts and improved ionic conductivity while maintaining electrochemical stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If the solubility of lithium fluoride is increased, then the energy density can be improved, but the chemical stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolubility of lithium fluorideVSAvoidchemical stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite electrolyte system that combines lithium fluoride with lithium halide additives and appropriate solvents. This composite formulation achieves enhanced solubility of lithium fluoride through synergistic interactions among the components, while the overall chemical stability is maintained through careful selection of compatible materials that do not undergo detrimental reactions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If dissociating agents are added to enhance solubility, then the ionic conductivity improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveionic conductivityVSAvoidelectrolyte composition complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs simple, readily available lithium halide compounds as dissociating agents that can be easily added to the electrolyte formulation. These additives are inexpensive, well-characterized materials that provide the desired effect of enhancing lithium salt solubility and ionic conductivity without requiring complex synthesis or handling procedures, thus minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The use of dissociating agents significantly increases the solubility and ionic conductivity of lithium salts, leading to enhanced electrochemical performance, including higher discharge rates and power output, while maintaining chemical and electrochemical stability, thus overcoming the limitations of conventional lithium battery electrolytes.

Implementation Method 1

Dissociating agents of the present invention participate in chemical reactions in solution, such as complex formation, acid-base reactions and adduct formation reactions, that result in enhancement in the dissolution of inorganic fluorides in a range of solvent environments.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectComplex formation:

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcid-base reactions:

Implementation Method 3

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdduct formation:

Implementation Method 4

Anion receptors enhance the ionic disassociation of lithium salts in low dielectric solvents by incorporating non-hydrogen bonded electrophilic groups that participate in complex formation reactions with anions of the lithium salt provided to the electrolyte.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissociation:

Data Source

PatentUS8658309B2Dissociating agents, formulations and methods providing enhanced solubility of fluorides

Publication Date: 2014.02.25 CALIFORNIA INST OF TECH

AI summary

The present invention provides compositions, formulations and methods providing for the effective dissolution of inorganic fluorides in solvents via incorporation of a dissociating agent component. Dissociating agents of the present invention participate in chemical reactions in solution, such as complex formation, acid-base reactions, and adduct formation reactions, that result in enhancement in the dissolution of inorganic fluorides in a range of solvent environments. Dissociating agents comprising Lewis acids, Lewis bases, anion receptors, cation receptors or combinations thereof are provided that significantly increase the extent of dissolution of a range of inorganic fluorides, particularly inorganic fluorides, such as LiF, that are highly insoluble in many solvents in the absence of the dissociating agents of the present invention.